Venice
The unique city of Venice holds a magical appeal to the millions of visitors drawn by its maze of romantic canals and awe-inspiring architecture. A guided sightseeing and walking holiday, with an HF Holidays' leader, is a great way to explore this preserved medieval timewarp. Little has changed since the wealthy merchants built the most powerful trading city in Europe.
Cruising down the Grand Canal on a vaperetto you will be inspired by the fascinating churches and lavish palaces that line every inch of its banks. As well as visiting the most popular sights, including the great square of San Marco, the Doge's Palace and the Rialto Bridge, there is time to explore the narrow canals and quiet shady squares missed by many visitors.
Detailed information
| Detailed itinerary |
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The following is a suggested programme, but your HF Holidays' leader may adjust it at their discretion, according to the wishes of the group and other factors such as weather and local opening times. There is clearly no obligation to join in any activity, and you should feel free to spend the time as you wish.
Day 1: Arrival day
Take an evening stroll to view the Rialto Bridge an the Grand Canal.
Day 2: An Introduction to Venice
The graceful Rialto Bridge was built from 1580 to 1592 by Antonio da Ponte and is just a few hundred metres away from our hotel. The bridge lies in the centre of the business quarter and is lined with shops and galleries affording views of the Grand Canal.
Once called 'the finest street in all the world' the Grand Canal is Venice's main thoroughfare. The canal is nearly two miles long and between thirty and seventy metres wide. It divides the city in half and is lined with two hundred 12th - 18th century marble palaces in which the patricians whose names were in the Golden Book used to live.
St Mark's Square is famous all over the world. It forms a great marble saloon surrounded by galleries sheltering famous cafes and luxury shops. The huge Campanile (bell tower) towers over the square. The present structure was opened in 1912, replacing the earlier tower that collapsed without warning ten years earlier.
The Doge's Palace or Palazzo Ducale was a symbol of Venetian power and glory and was both the residence of the Doge and the seat of government. It was erected in the 12th century in the place of a building dating from AD 825 and was completely transformed in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The Basilica di San Marco: The most exotic of Europe's cathedrals - no visitor can remain dispassionate when confronted by it. It is the combination of ancient structure and later decorations which makes San Marco so bewildering along with the ornaments, many of which were looted from abroad and are sometimes older than the building itself.
A short ferry ride from St Mark's takes you to the little island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Here you'll find a church and monastery, built from 1559-80. Within the church are a number of important paintings by Tintoretto including "The Last Supper". It is possible to take the lift to the top of the campanile for a superb view over Venice and the lagoon.
Day 3: The Islands
This day offers an opportunity to escape from the city centre to a number of the most interesting islands in the lagoon.
Murano consists of a number of tiny islands, connected by bridges. The island became prosperous due to its glassmaking; in the 13th century Murano had a population of 30,000 and even enjoyed self-government and minted its own coins. It is possible to visit the glass workshops and see the glass-blowing in action.
Burano is the most colourful of the islands and is famed for its brightly painted houses. The tall, tilted tower of its church makes it easily identifiable from across the lagoon. Traditionally Burano was noted for its lacemaking and you can still visit the workshops and museums.
The sleepy island of Torcello has a population of only 60 (though this was once nearer 20,000). The main attraction is the Byzantine cathedral and monastery.
Day 4: Dorsoduro & San Polo
The Dorsoduro area lies on the western side of the Grand Canal to the south of St Mark's Square and is home to a number of important galleries.
We start our tour at the wooden Academia Bridge, one of only three bridges across the Grand Canal. The Gallerie dell'Accademia is the largest and most important gallery in Venice. The gallery is arranged largely chronologically and takes you through five centuries of Venetian art from the medieval Byzantine era through Renaissance, Baroque and Rocco.
Santa Maria della Salute: This huge Baroque church lies across the Grand Canal from St Mark's Square. Built in white stone, its domed roof is one of Venice's most imposing landmarks. Dogana di Mare: Standing on the tip of the promontory, at the entrance to the Grand Canal, is the Dogana di Mare or customs post.
The 16th century Renaissance building of Scuola di San Rocco houses an outstanding collection of 56 canvases by Tintoretto who worked here for 18 years. The best are an Annunciation, a Jesus before Pilate and a dramatic Crucifixion that Tintoretto regarded as his best work.
The Santa Maria Gloiosa dei Frari or 'Frari' is the largest and possibly most important church in Venice. Of particularly interest are Titian's painting of the 'Assumption of the Virgin', Titian's tomb and the wonderfully carved wooden 124 stall choir.
Day 5: Departure day
There is some time to spend shopping in local boutiques before our departure to the airport.
Further information
Further information on Venice can be found on the official tourist board website www.turismovenezia.it or from www.veniceworld.com. The tourist office can also be contacted on 0039 041 529 8711.
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| Dates and prices |
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| Tues 4 March 2008 |
4 |
£439 |
£289 |
| Tues 13 May 2008 |
4 |
£539 |
£389 |
| Tues 11 Nov 2008 |
4 |
£439 |
£289 |
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| Travel to resort |
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Guests who have booked their holiday 'with flight' will arrive at Venice's Marco Polo airport. The onward transfer by ferry to the hotel takes around 45mins. Please note when packing there is a 600m walk to the hotel.
Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 20/08/2007 (provisional)
British Midland
Heathrow - Venice
Out 11:10 - 14:25
Return 15:10 - 16:25
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Making Your Own Travel Arrangements
By air: Flights to Venice arrive either at Treviso airport 30km from Venice. If you are booking your own flights you may wish to consider the following options:
www.ryanair.com flights from Liverpool, Stansted and Luton.
By air to Venice-Marco Polo: Venice Marco Polo is served by a number of direct scheduled, charter and 'low-cost' flights from the UK. If you are booking your own flights you may wish to consider one of the following options:
www.easyjet.com flights from Bristol, East Midlands and Gatwick.
www.flybmi.com flights from Heathrow, Glasgow and Newcastle.
www.bmibaby.com flights from Heathrow.
www.jet2.com flights from Leeds/Bradford and Manchester.
www.lufthansa.com flights from Heathrow.
Transfer from
Venice Marco Polo Airport by public boat
and then a 600m walk – allow €18
return
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| Temperatures |
|
| March |
4°C |
12°C |
| May |
12°C |
23°C |
| Nov |
5°C |
12°C |
| Dec |
0°C |
7°C |
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| What the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class air travel (with flight).
- 4 nights' accommodation in double or twin-bedded en-suite rooms.
- Bed & Breakfast.
- Services HF of Holidays' leaders.
- Detailed itineraries.
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